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When I got my Instant Pot (also known as IP) two years ago I remember feeling a little scared of this appliance but soon after I started cooking with it, it changed my life. If I could give an Instant Pot to each and every one of my friends, I would – that’s how amazing it is!
The best part of the Instant Pot is that you can have dinner ready in less than 30 minutes, even when using frozen meat. Plus you can dump all the ingredients in the pot, set it to cook and forget about it. Once it beeps your food is ready and nothing is burned. It is the best invention I’ve ever seen and if you’re a busy parent it’s something you definitively want to buy.
When I first started using the Instant Pot I didn’t know all it could do at that time. I used to make rice and chicken with it and that was about it. Now, two years later, I useit to make anything from a meal to desserts. Today I’m going to share with youa recipe that you probably didn’t know you could make in your IP: cottage cheese.
The best part is that all you need is milk and vinegar so if you love cottage cheese you’re going to save lots of money by making your own, instead of buying it. Plus it tastes amazing! If you’re feeling adventurous you can even add some flavoring at the end. I’ve added garlic, oregano and even strawberry jam for my kid’s sandwiches.
This recipe has several steps to it but it is so easy to prepare that even my 4 year old helps me with it. If you love cooking with your kid, this is a great recipe to try with them.
Instant Pot Cottage Cheese
Yields 2 cups.
Ingredients:
Directions:
Pour milk into Instant Pot and reserve the1/2cup of milk for later.
Lock the lid into place and turn the valve to seal. Press the yogurt setting, and press the adjust button until the display screen reads boil.
Let the milk go through the boiling process. When the Instant Pot beeps, switch to yogurt. About 1 hour later, turn the Instant Pot off.
Remove the lid and mix the vinegar into the milk slowly.
The vinegar will curdle the milk as you mix it. You will see the whey separate from the milk, the whey should be a greenish color, like this:
Let the milk curdle in the Instant Pot for about 10 minutes.
Other Instant Pot recipes you might like:
- Instant Pot Buttery Lemon Chicken
- Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
- Instant Pot Chicken Marsala with Spaghetti Squash
- Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
When it is done, strain the whey from the cottage cheese with a stainless steel mesh strainer.
Place the cottage cheese in an airtight container, mix in the 1/2cup of milk that was reserved.This will make the cottage cheese creamy.
Store in the fridge until the sell by date on the milk jug.
Doesn’t that look delicious?
I hope you try this recipe – it’s really easy to make and so far we haven’t messed it up.
You can add seasoning to make it taste even better. Try things like garlic, oregano, basil and pepper for salty treats and fruits or jam for sweet treats.
If you love it as much as we do, be sure to let me know by leaving a comment.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon organic milk
- 3/4 cup of organic white vinegar
- 1/2 cup organic milk, reserved
- Stainless steel mesh strainer
Instructions
- Pour milk into Instant Pot and reserve the 1/2 cup of milk for later.
- Lock the lid into place and turn the valve to seal. Press the yogurt setting, and press the adjust button until the display screen reads boil.
- Let the milk go through the boiling process. When the Instant Pot beeps, switch to yogurt. About 1 hour later, turn the Instant Pot off.
- Remove the lid and mix the vinegar into the milk slowly.
- The vinegar will curdle the milk as you mix it. You will see the whey separate from the milk, the whey should be a greenish color.
- Let the milk curdle in the Instant Pot for about 10 minutes.
- When it is done, strain the whey from the cottage cheese with a stainless steel mesh strainer.
- Place the cottage cheese in an airtight container, mix in the 1/2 cup of milk that was reserved. This will make the cottage cheese creamy.
- Store in the fridge until the sell by date on the milk jug.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2Serving Size: 2 cups
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 1047Total Fat: 39gSaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 162mgSodium: 1053mgCarbohydrates: 100gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 70g
Please keep in mind that these nutritional values are estimates, based on the ingredients, and it might not be accurate.
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FAQs
Substitutes. If a recipe calls for pot cheese, you can use cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, or farmer cheese, but you may need to adjust the amount of liquid to compensate for the varying textures. Cottage cheese tastes the most similar, and you can drain most of the whey to achieve the drier consistency of pot cheese.
Why is cottage cheese making a comeback? ›
For a younger generation of increasingly plant-based eaters who no longer consider drinking cow's milk “cool,” the revival of the dairy-based cottage cheese by Gen Z has many confused. One of the biggest reasons cottage cheese seems to be making a comeback is due to its highly nutritious profile.
Do the lumps in cottage cheese melt? ›
Add It to Scrambled Eggs
Cottage cheese will melt somewhat when heated, though not entirely, and the curds will become incorporated into the eggs, adding a rich and creamy consistency.
Why does cottage cheese get watery when cooked? ›
Why Does Cottage Cheese Get Watery? As cottage cheese ages, or if it's been exposed to warm temperatures, the curds tend to separate from the whey, forming a soupy appearance.
How to get cottage cheese smooth? ›
Add cottage cheese to a food processor. Blend on high until smooth and creamy (about 1-2 minutes). You might have to stop a few times to scrape the sides down. Scoop whipped cottage cheese into a shallow bowl or on a small plate and top with a drizzle of olive oil and a crack of fresh black pepper, if desired.
What seasoning is good on cottage cheese? ›
Savory Cottage Cheese Toppings
Give cottage cheese a drizzle of your best olive oil, flaky sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Caprese: Dice fresh tomatoes and chop basil, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic reduction, and add a dash of salt and pepper to make a "caprese" cottage cheese salad.
What is healthier, cottage cheese or Greek yogurt? ›
The Bottom Line. And the winner is... plain Greek yogurt by a very thin margin. Greek yogurt's advantage is very slight due to a little more calcium, lower sodium and a higher chance of containing probiotics.
What is the downside of eating cottage cheese? ›
He said that while most cheese, including cottage cheese, contains nutrients such as vitamins and calcium, it can also have high levels of sodium and fat, so he recommends eating it in moderation.
What happens to your body when you eat cottage cheese? ›
Cottage cheese is an excellent source of calcium, a mineral that plays a major role in tooth and bone health, and in the prevention of osteoporosis. It also helps you to regulate your blood pressure and might even play a role in preventing certain cancers, such as prostate cancer.
Why is cottage cheese so addictive? ›
The protein found in milk — human or animal — is called casein, and when it breaks down in your body, it produces molecules called casomorphins. These strings of amino acids have the same effect in your brain as opiates do.
The cheese's texture lends itself well to simple toppings, like a drizzle of olive oil, but textural pops like crunchy chips and juicy tomatoes work well as a fun change if you feel like you're stuck in a CC rut. Other mix-in ideas from our readers included crumbled bacon, Kalamata olives, and salsa.
What can you do with expired cottage cheese? ›
original sound - Liz Thomson | Veggie Recipes
Blend it up and use it as a base for dill pickle dip. You can blend it to make a dressing for macaroni salad. Yes, you can make pizza crust using cottage cheese.
Why is my homemade cottage cheese rubbery? ›
Don't overheat. That will make your cottage cheese rubbery. When the comes to the top, it's time to remove it from the heat. Place a colander in the sink and line it with cheese cloth.
How can you tell if cottage cheese has gone bad? ›
If it is lumpy, watery (with a bad smell), or has a grainy texture, it is bad and should be discarded. Color: Cottage cheese should be white or off-white in color. If it is yellow, brown, or has any other discoloration, it is bad and should be discarded. Mold: Cottage cheese should not have any mold on it.
Can dogs have cottage cheese? ›
You can give your dog cottage cheese, and he or she will likely love it. You can give your dog 3 ounces of cottage cheese a day per 25 pounds of body weight. The benefits of cottage cheese for dogs include being a good source of protein and vitamins and minerals and supporting gut health.
What is smooth cottage cheese called? ›
Quark cheese is very smooth, similar to cottage cheese, which consists of distinct curds.
What is the difference between ricotta cheese and cottage cheese? ›
“From a high level, it is how the milk solids are treated during the cheesemaking process.” Though they're both made from cow's milk, ricotta cheese is produced with leftover whey from the milk-making process, whereas cottage cheese uses the curds.
How do you make cottage cheese less lumpy? ›
Place the cottage cheese in a food processor and blend for about 30 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Blend again until completely smooth.
Can I make cottage cheese taste like sour cream? ›
Cottage Cheese
It's also perfect as a sour cream substitute with quite a bit less fat than the original. To get a similar consistency and taste to sour cream, add ¼ cup milk and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to 1 cup of small curd cottage cheese.
How to make cottage cheese taste like cream cheese? ›
To make up for this fat deficit, mix one cup of heavy cream with one cup of strained cottage cheese to replicate the richness of one cup of cream cheese. Half and half will also work in a pinch, but heavy cream should be your go-to.
